Irish scientists discover a solution to weight loss

Scientists from the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IAFDA) and Cork University, Ireland hope to create new types of probiotic yogurts that could help cut obesity.

The scientists found a they could alter a gut bacteria to produce a type of molecule that will reduce the levels of fatty tissue in the body. According to reports in Daily Telegraph they believe that a new range of yogurts and drinks could help people lose weight.

Catherine Stanton, who led the research told the Telegraph “Fat is not an inert layer around our bodies, it is active and pro-inflammatory. It is a risk factor for many diseases, including cancers."

They have created a strain of Lactobacillus bacteria. This bacteria is found in the human gut and aids digestion by inserting a gene from another type of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. This naturally produces a polyunsaturated fatty acids.

These levels of acids found to be present in mice fed the engineered Lactobacillus bacterium were four times greater than mice fed a control strain. These acids are capable of shrinking fat cells. It is also shown to decrease the growth of colon cancer cells.